CHRIS SUTTON insists Celtic cannot expects any favours as they prepare for a dramatic four-game run-in to the Premiership climax.
The quest for a fifth successive title continues when Martin O’Neill takes his players to Easter Road for an intriguing confrontation against Hibs.
The Hoops, during the veteran gaffer’s first stint as interim manager following the sudden departure of Brendan Rodgers in late October, won 2-1 in the capital the following month with strikes from Daizen Maeda and Arne Engels.
Earlier in the campaign, David Gray’s team had drawn 0-0 in the east end of Glasgow and they followed that up with a last-gasp 2-1 triumph at the same venue in February, a setback for the champions who looked comfortable at 1-1, but suffered when Auston Trusty was red-carded after a controversial VAR intervention.
MAKING A POINT…Chris Sutton celebrates a Celtic goal with John Hartson about to add his congratulations.
There have been suggestions the hosts may take it easy in the High Noon showdown in Leith as they know the consequences of a win over the Hoops could be seen as a massive advantage for their city rivals Hearts who are three points ahead at the moment.
Reacting to the innuendo, former Celtic goal hero Sutton said: “There has been a lot of noise about the prospect of certain teams lying down in some of the remaining games of the season.
“I can’t see it happening. There’s only been one team that lay down in Scottish football over the years – and no-one will convince me otherwise.
“I copped a six-game SFA ban for making that accusation against Dunfermline in May 2003 after their seven-goal thriller with Rangers, which ended up seeing the title go to Ibrox on goal difference.
“That wasn’t a great day all round. In our game down at Kilmarnock, they were time-wasting at 4-0 down for some reason and at the end I gave referee Kenny Clark a piece of my mind.
“I think I got two red cards before I did that TV interview and had another go at Kenny after he finished his warm-down to get another two reds! Let’s just say it was the heat of the moment.
DOUBLE TROUBLE…Chris Sutton with Celtic frontline partner Henrik Larsson.
“Thankfully, Martin O’Neill fought my corner at the Hampden hearing – and my punishment was knocked down to five matches because of my previously outstanding character.
“It was still a hefty suspension for telling the truth.”
Sutton, speaking to the Daily Record, continued: “Back in the here and now, plenty of people are suggesting Hibs will roll over against Celtic tomorrow, as they won’t want to give arch-rivals Hearts a leg up in the title fight.
“I understand the thinking and I’m sure there will be enough Hibs supporters who see this game as a nightmare no-win scenario.
“But David Gray and his players? No chance. They won’t be thinking along the same lines as fans. There is NO way they will be lying down.
“They will be looking after themselves, trying to catch Motherwell in fourth place and making sure they are in Europe. They can’t be worrying about what the knock-on effect will be for Hearts.
“Similarly on Monday night. There’s no point in Celtic supporters getting themselves worked up with what might be the best result for them when Rangers go to Tynecastle.
“Sure, a draw would probably suit them best and perhaps even a Rangers victory wouldn’t be the worst.
“None of this will matter if Celtic can’t take care of their own business.”
HEADACHE…Arne Engels reels back in agony following a collision with a Hibs rival after scoring Celtic’s winner at Easter Road in November.
The one-time England international striker added: “It would be simple for me if I were in that dressing room. Win the last four games and forget about favours elsewhere.
“Obviously, that could mean it goes down to goal difference again, but at least Celtic might have it in their own hands by that stage.
“Who knows if it will get to that stage? What I am certain of is there are more twists and turns to come.
“Would I be totally surprised if Celtic slip up at Easter Road? No way. They squeezed out a win there, but Hibs won and drew at Celtic Park.
“They’ll also be hurting after blowing it against Hearts last weekend. They had a great chance to trip up their rivals, but shot themselves in the foot.
“But Hibs have been a decent side at times this season and will cause Celtic problems.”
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